That Contagious Humanity

Respected Sir,1

The following diary was found in the ruins of a distant planet called Aremis 24, and it is hoped that the entries of its owner shall explain the war-torn state of the planet, for when the planet was excavated by our team of archaeologists, there were no survivors to be found, and therefore no witness to given an exact account of what transpired on the planet. The diary has been translated into English by a mysterious woman who identifies herself as ‘K'.She was asked repeatedly how she alone survived the war which she says took place on the planet; but instead of replying, she merely smiles and lifts her finger to her lips. In fact, we wouldn’t even trust such a foreigner except for the fact that she seems to be of mixed race like us. 2

January 1, 27803

Humanity-1: Human race considered as a whole4

2: The qualities or characteristics considered to be as a whole to be characteristic of human beings5

3: Kindness or compassion for others6

Which of these definitions do not describe humanity correctly? It’ number 3-kindness or compassion for others. 7

The asteroid, 36 AB just hit a planet called Earth, and destroyed all life forms except for the superiorly intelligent humans. Armed with very high-standard technology, they had arrived on our planet precisely fifty years ago asking for help. And we provided it most generously, and they seemed grateful of our hospitality. However, I’d forgotten that similar is not the same as equal. The technology they had traded with us was just a ploy to win our hearts. The truth was that they were developing a new technology to master our own. Today, the citizens of my planet woke up to a rude shock. It was rather like that Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, the place that was I had studied for my thesis on Universal History: Civil Wars. Human war spaceships were zooming in the sky at a speed of approximately thrice the speed of light. If it was not for our superior eyesight, we would have barely seen them. 8

I quickly evacuated my house and phoned the research facility I worked at. The news was confirmed when no one picked up-usually my colleague Pluto or his daughter Venus answers the phone. I phoned Pluto’s house, and his granddaughter Kierra picked up, and tearfully said, “Momma and Grandpa haven’t yet come.” I quickly consoled her, and then swung into action. I was two hundred years old, twenty according to human standards. I was part of the Explorers Facility, and our main job involved doing the work of both an astronaut and a historian. My senses told me that if the humans were really attacking, and this wasn’t some crazy mock drill by the government, then they would have evacuated their women and children, except for the toughest female warriors. They were very sexist that way. 9

I lived in a human facility, where my main job was to make them as comfortable as possible, and a sort of friendly neighbourhood guide-time moves slowly on my planet, therefore it would take long for them to be adjusted. I wasn’t feeling friendly anymore. All around me, the houses had a deserted look, and when I was about twenty feet away from my house, the bomb fell, and with a ear-splitting crash, my house went up into flames, sending a single shrapnel piercing into my leg.10

January 5, 287011

My leg has yet to heal, but Gemma says it should be alright by the time the army goes into war. We are hiding in a government basement along with the survivors, of which there are thankfully, many. Gemma is my fiancée, and Kierra’s neighbor. It’s more difficult for Kierra over here than both of us. She is of mixed parentage-her father was a human. Earlier, I could not have imagined a species barbaric enough to betray their children in the name of war. We are trying our best to assure her she is one of us, and that she is not responsible for the doing of her race. But the child refuses to listen. She has convinced herself that she is an evil creature. We are trying her best to comfort her.12

January 8, 287013

The supplies are thankfully abundant. We hope to secure some peace deal with the humans. We have sent Emmaline Cory from the Ambassador’s Office. We hope she will return soon, as her mother is in a delicate state of health.14

January 11, 287015

Just when we were about to send a search party for Emma, they found her dead body. I have no idea what to do. Everyone is looking forward to me for guidance, as I am the wisest over here. But how do I tell them that I am as afraid of the human race as they are? In the past eleven days, I have learnt more about the humans than I ever knew, and I know that even if I offer a thousand prayers to the Lord, this stubborn race won’t change. Surely there are some wise ones there too who will advise them to stop the war?16

My anger is growing with each passing day, and is even taking its toll on those dear to me. Just yesterday, when Kierra was asking for more food, I lost my temper and slapped her on the cheeks. I think if this continues, I shall be the mad one! I have decided that we must begin a war with the humans. But my friends are very simple! They refuse to hear of my idea. They say that we must not become like the humans even by mistake. They say that God will punish us for our violence. But I cannot tolerate this anymore. Even if I have to bring about a war by force, I shall.17

January 15, 287018

The elders have tried their best to rebel against my decision, but everyone knows who is in command here. I have already arranged my force, and have threatened death to anyone who opposes my motion. I feel strangely guilty for doing this, but this is for the betterment of my planet isn’t it? Today they will curse me, but tomorrow they will bestow a thousand boons upon me. That is, if tomorrow ever comes. There are rumours of humans raiding the refugee shelters and stealing supplies and killing innocents. If this is true, I must procure my weapons quickly.19

January 30, 287020

Mission successful! I recently raided a human weapons base, and robbed all their technology. True, most of them are used or corrupt, but you cannot guess my pleasure of using the humans’ own weapons against them. It was difficult breaking into the facility however. But I am pretty sure we injured some guards over there. It was injured wasn’t it? Who cares? Even if they died, it would serve them right. As one human song said, “One eye is taken for an eye.” Plus it also boosted our morale. It was easy to defeat them, considering they were thirty and we were fifty, but now more people have asked to join the force. With these upgraded weapons we can perhaps make up for all those years we wasted serving the humans instead of conducting research on them. I think all that fuss they created about settling on a new planet was just an elaborate ruse to fool us and prevent us from seeing how strong they really were.21

February 16, 287022

Just a few days ago, we had discovered a human shelter five miles away from our own. It turns out they had constructed a complex network of underground tunnels and chambers, the sort we used to see dogs digging on their Courage the Cowardly Dogs, and the dwarves in their fantasy books. So they are inspired even by their literature! The shelter was equipped with amenities we are struggling to provide over here. Gemma is upset with me because of what I did to the women and children there, but I just needed the revenge-someone had to pay for what they had done. All my warriors were disgusted with the massacre, but I had no choice! I had to warn them of our attack! And we weren’t completely barbaric either. I have rescued Gloria, a human woman who is with child. I have kept her with Ivan, one of my warriors, lest my anger cause me to attack her.23

February 26, 287024

How ironic that yesterday was our Independence Day. Yes, it was the day when we had achieved independence from the neighbouring planet, Iona Martin. Today when I looked at Iona Martin through my telescope, I saw a ruined planet covered with ashes. The acrid taste of death seemed to burn my tongue. True, the people of Iona Martin could be ruthless when they wanted, but they had never done anything as cruel as the humans had done. The people are changing their peaceful attitudes too. They are all growing restless. 25

Yesterday, we indulged in festivities with whatever meager supplies we had. When everyone was enjoying their drunken revelry, I chanced upon a group of my soldiers dragging Gloria down from her cellar in the attic. I was too intoxicated to realize what was happening. Slowly, they tortured her in ways I cannot describe. No one heard her muffled screams except me. And yet I did not intervene. I watched the whole display with guilty pleasure, and when they spotted me and invited me to join them, I accepted. 26

However, I came to my senses when I realized that Gloria had died from her injuries. We buried the body deep underneath the ground, and hoped no one had spotted us. 27

I have a pain in my forehead. I am too afraid to tell Gemma about this. This must remain my secret.28

March 18, 287029

We have now officially declared war with the humans. The old, the children and others unfit to fight have been kept behind, while all of the skilled warriors have come back on land. We have thrown away the human weapons and designed our own ones. Money is tight, but just a few raids and we shall prevail. We have deployed guards around the spaceship launch pads to make sure none of the humans escape. I must kill all of them if I am to regain my sanity. Gemma disagrees with me. Cracks are appearing in our relationship. She is now threatening to leave the shelter with Kierra. I have asked all my soldiers to prevent her from escaping too. I shall not allow anyone, not even my own fiancée to stop me from achieving my goals and taking my revenge on the humans.30

April 2, 287031

Cracks are appearing between the humans, or so it seems. They have different governors, and each governor has a different opinion on what must be done about the current situation. 32

Some of the governors have asked me to hold secret talks with them. I am unaware of whether to trust them or not. They could just want to give me the wrong information! But from their plans, it seems they have already planned to overthrow the opposition. They have asked me not to tell my army about any of this, and I have agreed.33

They are very wise people. They tell me that there will always be a group on a different side of the planet who will disagree with me. I do not believe in capturing a seat of power by force, but if it is for the betterment of my planet, than what problem could I possibly have?34

April 10, 287035

I have amassed forces from all over the planet to help me in my cause. Some grumbled and others were confused but my allies promise me that in a few days they will listen. We are all preparing for the final battle. My allies have already given me their human warriors. They have told me that in a war, the different sides have different names. If so, then I will name my army Liberation. What a nice word it is, isn’t it? Liberation, not blood. Just freedom. 36

April 20, 287037

The final battle took place! We are the victors! At first it seemed we wouldn’t be able to win at all. The humans seemed to be gaining the upper hand. The whole planet was our battlefield. Troops were scattering left, right and center. We also had difficulty maneuvering our weapons. The humans with their sabers easily burnt and sliced through our flesh. But we used our special “handprints” to achieve the same effect, but in a better way. The field smells of blood, and again the taste of rotting flesh seems to be in the air. Then why am I so happy? I do not know. But I have finally achieved liberation!38

May 5, 287039

There are talks to holding an election to decide who will rule the planet! What is this atrocity! Wasn’t the leadership I demonstrated amongst all the trouble over the past four months enough? My allies tell me it is a trick by the others to make sure I alone do not reap the fruits of the war. But I am the one who has done everything! All the peace settlements with the humans, the salary of the warriors, the re-construction of the planet-I have arranged for all this and much more in just a fortnight! How dare they? I retract my earlier statement-I will take this throne by force at all costs.40

May 22, 287041

I have finally managed to become the ruler! I have defeated all! With the power I enjoy, no one can ever stop me!42

June 1, 287043

I have built for myself a palace that will put the finest of builders to shame. I had employed everyone in my capital city, Onki to work for me. There were certain protests, but I made sure they were quitened.44

June 7, 287045

Today, I am rich. I have everything, power, fame, money, status, looks-what do I lack? Why doesn’t Gemma love me? Doesn’t she understand that the people of this country are too foolish and innocent to manage this country in times of crisis? I tried explaining the same to her, but she haughtily replied that, “Radley Kinjal, you are the most arrogant and selfish man in the universe. “ Man? How dare she? I too am a citizen of this planet! I just want the good of the planet! Is it too much to ask?46

June 22, 287047

Gemma wants elections, right? Well, she shall get elections. I have arranged for them. My allies assure me that the votes are in my favour. But even then, I feel insecure. People are staging more and more protests and strikes. I am sure that they have got this all from the humans. The humans’ egos are hurt because I defeated them. They are afraid they shall never get to be superior as long as I am on the throne. I have sent my men to the polling booths to ensure all the votes are in my favour. Gemma needn’t know that, need she?48

July 6, 287049

I have just received the news that Gemma has formed a rebel party of her own called, “True Freedom.” Well, she has gone too far. I was kind to her earlier because I loved her, but now this is too much. I have arranged for my men to pick up Kierra from her school, and threatened to kill Kierra if she does not dissolve her party, and maim her beyond recognition if she does not take my hand in marriage. 50

July 21, 287051

The whole of my planet celebrated when I got married to Gemma. And yet the snarky brat refused to consummate our marriage. She said, “I have done this only for Kierra, and not because I love you.” Well, so what if she doesn’t love me? I will take her by force if needed. They speak of her affair with Jinx Kimbel, the man with whom she formed her group. I too suspect that she is carrying his child. Well, I will ensure that neither Jinx Kimbel nor his child live to see the light of the day. 52

August 1, 287053

My own people are rebelling against me too! They are all ungrateful brats, just like Gemma! They do not appreciate the sacrifices I made for them! Well, they must pay for being ungrateful. I have decided that torture is the best way of submission. First of all, since it is the humans who have concocted this entire mess, they shall pay first. I have condemned each and every human on this planet to be executed publicly, right in front of my eyes. None of them shall escape! None of them! I shall also get rid of Gemma’s child by any means.54

September 15, 287055

My Gemma too has been fooled by them! She has taken her own life saying that she cannot bear to live with a tyrant! How dare she call me a tyrant? They are all tyrants themselves! I do not trust anyone! Not my allies! Not my friends! No one! 56

October 4, 287057

I see them approaching at a distance, and yet I do not do anything. They think their jealous conspiracies will thwart me? Well, this is a battle I shall lose, but not in vain. That contagious humanity is the most dangerous weapon that has been wielded by humans, and now, I will make use of it too. Oh, I don’t have to do anything. Just surrender to the enemy forces, and wait and watch. What do you think, after my defeat their minds will be pacified? The humans have cursed our planet, and nothing will remove it. Our minds have been poisoned. The next fellow who comes on the throne will not have a better fate than me. They will turn against each other, and soon the planet will descend into a state of war again. 58

November 29, 287059

As I rot in this deep and dark prison cell, I have lost the will to live. I am like that fellow in Tolstoy’s The Long Exile. I have been imprisoned wrongly, but the will to live has left me. Today, I live by on a few scraps of food, and the human literature that is given to me. How insulting it is to my eyes, I cannot express, but yet I read, for some of them were very wise, and I sometimes wish they would have lived to give their knowledge to the foolish humans who attacked our planet. I will not live to see the New Year. I will die alone in this cell, and over here ends my tale. They will execute me. I know they will; I see it in their gleeful expressions. They are all madmen, only I am sane. And when I pass, I curse this planet too. I curse this planet to burn to ashes and die.60

As there are no diary entries beyond this point, we can assume that Kinjal was really executed, and this his dark curse did come true. We will continue to research for more information.61

Yours truly,62

J-Rimkins, 63

Deputy Head of Intra-Planetary Research Department of Lissa.64

P.S.-Sir, about that promotion...65